The invention relates to a filter element self-cleaning device which is used for cleaning filter elements of melt filter and the like in polyster production process. The device comprises a seat (1), a filter element washing seat (2), a supporting pipe (5), a gear box (6), a filter element (3), a filter element (3), a back wash water pipe (4), a sluicegun sliding rack (8), a sluicegun slide block (9), a swivel chain (11) and a travel switch (12); the filter element washing seat (2) is arranged at one side of the seat (1); the supporting pipe (5) is installed on the filter element washing seat (2) vertically upwards; the gear box (6) is installed at the top of the supporting pipe (5); the filter element (3) is installed on the filter element washing seat (2) vertically upwards; the top end of the filter element (3) is connected with two output shafts of the gear box (6); the back wash water pipe (4) is inserted into the filter element (3) via the bottom of the filter element (3) from down to top; the sluicegun sliding rack (8) is installed at the other side of the seat (1); the sluicegun slide block (9) is arranged on the sluicegun sliding rack (8); and the swivel chain (11) is installed in the middle of the sluicegun sliding rack (8) in an annular shape. The invention can self-clean the filter element and the cleaning quality and uniformity can be guaranteed.